Darb is the automated tolling system implemented in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to manage traffic congestion and encourage the use of public transportation. It utilises a network of overhead gantries equipped with sensors to electronically collect tolls from vehicles passing through them.
Reasons for introducing Darb toll gate in Abu Dhabi
Reduce Traffic Congestion
As Abu Dhabi’s business boomed, the number of vehicles on the roads also increased, leading to traffic jams and congestion. Darb aims to discourage unnecessary travel during peak hours by introducing a toll fee, thus encouraging a smoother traffic flow.
Promote Public Transport
By making private vehicle travel during peak hours a bit more expensive, Darb nudges people towards using public transportation options like buses and trains. This can help reduce overall traffic volume and make public transport a more attractive choice.
How Does Darb Toll Gate System Work?
Unlike some toll systems that use tags on vehicles, Darb relies on overhead gantries equipped with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. Here are the detailed steps:
- As you pass through a Darb toll gate, the gantry captures your vehicle’s license plate number.
- The ANPR system then links the license plate number to a registered Darb account.
- If your vehicle is registered with a valid Darb account with sufficient balance, the corresponding toll fee is automatically deducted from your account.
- You can manage your Darb account through the website or mobile app.
How To Register For Darb Toll Gate In Abu Dhabi?
Private Car Darb Registration Steps:
- You can register online at the Darb website or through the Darb mobile app available on iOS and Android.
- Create an account and verify your email address.
- Select the Emirate where your vehicle is registered and enter the Traffic Code number found on the back of your driving license.
- Enter your registered mobile phone number and verify it using the OTP sent via SMS.
- Once your account is created, you can add your vehicle details by entering the license plate number and vehicle type.
Company Car Darb Registration Steps:
The registration process for company cars is similar to individual accounts, but with a few variations:
- Account Type: During account creation, choose the option for “Establishment Service”.
- Provide company details like the trade license number, company name, and company address.
- Enter the Emirates ID details of the authorized company representative who will manage the account.
- Similar to individual accounts, add company vehicles by entering their license plate numbers and types.
Unregistered vehicles passing through Darb are fined. Details of fines are covered later in the article.
How Much Does It Cost To Register?
Registering for a Darb toll gate account in Abu Dhabi incurs a one-time fee of AED 100 per vehicle. AED 50 is credited to your Darb account as a starting balance, so you have some credit right away for toll usage.
What Are The Charges For Darb Toll Gate?
The standard toll fee per passage through a Darb toll gate is AED 4, which is applicable only during peak hours.
Maximum Daily Charge:
Darb charges are capped at AED 16 per day. This means even if you pass through the toll gate multiple times during peak hours in a day, you won’t pay more than AED 16.
Monthly Caps For Multiple Vehicles:
If you have multiple vehicles registered under one account, there are monthly caps on toll charges to prevent excessive spending. These caps are:
- AED 200 for the first vehicle
- AED 150 for the second vehicle
- AED 100 for each additional vehicle
Monthly caps apply for multiple vehicles registered under one account.
What Are The Darb Toll Gate Timings?
The Darb toll gate system in Abu Dhabi operates with specific peak hours during weekdays (Monday to Saturday)
- Mornings: 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- Evenings: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
No toll fees are applicable on Sundays and all official public holidays in Abu Dhabi. You can travel freely without toll charges during all hours other than the weekday peak timings mentioned above. This includes:
- Night: From 7:00 PM to the following morning’s 7:00 AM.
- Weekdays (Monday to Saturday): From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Locations For Darb Toll Gate In Abu Dhabi
There are four locations for Darb Toll Gates in Abu Dhabi. They are situated on all the major bridges leading into the city. Here’s a list:
- Sheikh Zayed Bridge Toll Gate
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bridge Toll Gate
- Al Maqtaa Bridge Toll Gate
- Mussafah Bridge Toll Gate
Darb Mobile Application
The Darb mobile application is a convenient tool for managing your Darb toll gate account in Abu Dhabi. Here’s what you can do with the Darb app:
- Account Management: Create and manage your Darb account, including updating your profile information and contact details.
- Vehicle Registration: Add and manage the vehicles registered under your Darb account.
- Toll Transaction History: View your past toll transactions, including the date, time, location (toll gate), and amount paid for each passage.
- Account Balance: Check your current Darb account balance and top up your balance using various methods like credit cards or prepaid vouchers.
- Grievance & Exemption Requests: Submit requests to dispute any toll charges or apply for exemptions.
Are Darb And Salik The Same?
Darb and Salik are both automated toll gate systems used to manage traffic congestion in the United Arab Emirates, but they operate in different emirates:
- Darb: Toll gate system in Abu Dhabi.
- Salik: Toll gate system in Dubai.
Darb uses license plate recognition, while Salik uses windshield tags. However, both required a registered account to use in the respective Emirates.
Darb Toll Gate Fines
There are a few ways you can get fined by the Darb toll gate system in Abu Dhabi:
No Registration:
If you drive through a Darb toll gate with a vehicle that’s not registered in the system, you’ll be fined. The fine amount increases for repeated offences:
First time: AED 100
Second time: AED 200
Third time onwards: AED 400
Insufficient Balance:
If your registered vehicle has insufficient balance in its account when passing through a toll gate, you’ll be fined after a grace period. For vehicles from outside Abu Dhabi, the grace period is 5 working days. The fine is AED 50 per toll passage after the grace period.
Tampering or Damaging:
Tampering with license plates to avoid tolls or damaging toll gate equipment will result in a hefty fine of AED 10,000.
Who Are Exempted From Darb Toll Charges?
Automatically Exempted:
- Ambulances
- Armed forces and civil defence vehicles with proper identification markings
- Public transport buses
- Motorcycles
- Authorised public taxis in Abu Dhabi
- Authorised school buses registered with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC)
- All passenger buses with a capacity exceeding 26 passengers.
Exempt With Application (Need to Register for Exemption):
- Senior citizens aged 60 and above
- Retirees
- People with disabilities
- Limited-income citizens
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